Freehold Borough Water

We are proud to present this year's Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. This document highlights the exceptional water and services we provide daily. Our mission is delivering safe, reliable municipal water to your home. We strive to continuously improve our treatment processes and protect our valuable water resources.

Our water supply comes from ten wells drawing groundwater from the Englishtown Aquifer System and the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy Aquifer System. We also purchase water from Suez Water New Jersey Matchaponix System. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has completed a Source Water Assessment Report for our system and the Suez Water New Jersey Matchaponix System, available at WWW.State.Nj.Us/dep/swap or by contacting NJDEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at (609) 292-5550.

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants in tap water than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and infants may face higher risks from infections. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding water consumption. Guidelines from EPA/CDC on reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The Freehold Township Water Department and Suez Water New Jersey Matchaponix System regularly monitor your water according to Federal and State regulations. Our testing data from January 1st to December 31st, 2016 ensures we maintain the highest quality standards for your family's water supply.

1. Who do I call for a water billing problem? For a water billing issue, contact the Water Department directly.
2. Why is my water bill increasing? Your bill may be higher due to increased consumption. This could result from additional household members, new water-using appliances like sprinklers, dishwashers or pools, or seasonal garden watering. Undetected leaks can significantly impact your bill. Leaks may occur in concealed areas such as lines embedded in concrete, solar panels, water heaters, washing machine connections, irrigation systems, or faulty toilet valves.
3. How can I determine if I have a water leak? You can often diagnose a leak yourself by following the procedure outlined on our website.
4. How can I verify my water meter's accuracy? You can test your meter's accuracy by following the instructions provided on our website.
5. Why does my water appear dirty occasionally? Several factors can cause temporarily discolored water. When hydrants are opened (for firefighting, maintenance flushing, or other purposes), sediment can be disturbed and travel through the distribution system into household plumbing. Similarly, interruptions in water flow during construction or repairs can stir sediments when service resumes. Flow reversal in water mains can also disturb sediments.
6. Why is my water sometimes cloudy or white? Water in a glass may initially appear cloudy white but clear from the bottom up as it sits. This cloudiness results from dissolved air released as tiny bubbles that appear white. As the air dissipates, the cloudiness disappears. This harmless phenomenon can affect both hot and cold water.
7. Is my water safe to consume? Freehold water quality is excellent, meeting strict Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. EPA standards. We conduct daily, weekly, and periodic testing to maintain quality. In rare cases where issues arise, we immediately notify residents about necessary precautions.
8. Are there bacteria in the water? Bacteria naturally exist throughout the environment, including raw water sources. Our treatment process includes disinfection using sodium hypochlorite before distribution. We maintain sufficient residual chlorine to eliminate harmful bacteria throughout the system. Weekly testing at 15-18 locations, including the furthest points in our service area, checks for coliform bacteria that indicate potential problems. Though coliform detection is rare, if more than 5% of monthly samples show their presence, we would advise residents on appropriate steps, typically including boiling water before use.
9. Should I have my water tested? While we continuously monitor distribution system water quality, residents concerned about their home plumbing's impact on water quality may contact commercial testing laboratories.
10. Is lead a concern in my water? Lead in tap water typically comes from household plumbing corrosion. We periodically survey 30 Freehold households, testing for lead and copper. Our most recent tests showed levels below EPA and state action thresholds. If you're concerned about lead in your plumbing, reduce exposure by running water for at least one minute after it has been sitting in pipes, or until it feels noticeably cooler before consumption.